I would not lie about my marital status. I would tell anyone who is bold-faced enough to ask

• Is this right or wrong? - never been married
  • It's definitely wrong. - Just tell them
  • Tell them the truth, you're still looking for a man that's good enough ; ) - sm
  • It is rude to ask someone if they are married. If they offer fine, if not, butt out. SM - Dolly M.
  • Simply tell them this - - missy
  • I'm married and don't have kids, so - Misha
  • My favorite answer is, "Why do you ask?" and if that - M.A.
  • I may ask about... - trose
  • I would not lie about my marital status. I would tell anyone who is bold-faced enough to ask - giddy pc guru
  • As you age you will learn that a good answer - Angie
  • Dear Abby has addressed this many times and I believe you are right - on the money...SM
  • I think you do have a point, but sm - married one
  • I don't think its rude per se - I'm in the same boat - 40
    • What kind of people are the ladies above running into - Sue
      • People are more polite in the deep south. There is a sense of decorum. - That doesn't exist in my city.

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BOY dad Alfie Patten yesterday admitted he does not know how much nappies cost — but said: “I think it’s a lot.”

Baby-faced Alfie, who is 13 but looks more like eight, became a father four days ago when his girlfriend Chantelle gave birth to 7lb 3oz Maisie Roxanne.

He told how he and Chantelle, 15, decided against an abortion after discovering she was pregnant.

The shy lad, whose voice has not yet broken, said: “I thought it would be good to have a baby.

“I didn’t think about how we would afford it. I don’t really get pocket money. My dad sometimes gives me £10.”

Little family ... Alfie, Chantelle and baby Maisie

Lee Thompson

Alfie, who is just 4ft tall, added: “When my mum found out, I thought I was going to get in trouble. We wanted to have the baby but were worried how people would react.

“I didn’t know what it would be like to be a dad. I will be good, though, and care for it.”

Alfie's story, broken exclusively by The Sun today has sparked a huge political storm with Tory leader David Cameron saying: "When I saw these pictures this morning, I just thought how worrying that in Britain today children are having children.

"I hope that somehow these children grow up into responsible parents but the truth is parenthood is just not something they should be thinking about right now."

Secret
PM Gordon Brown refused to comment directly on the story but said it was important that the Government did all it could to prevent teenage pregnancies.

Alfie’s dad Dennis yesterday told how the lad does not really understand the enormity of his situation — but seemed desperate to be a devoted and responsible father.

He wanted to be the first to hold Maisie after the hospital birth. He tenderly kisses the baby and gives her a bottle.

And Dennis, 45, said: “He could have shrugged his shoulders and sat at home on his Playstation. But he has been at the hospital every day.”

Maisie was conceived after Chantelle and Alfie — just 12 at the time — had a single night of unprotected sex.

They found out about the baby when Chantelle was 12 weeks pregnant.

But they kept it a secret until six weeks later when Chantelle’s mum Penny, 38, became suspicious about her weight gain and confronted her.

Lee Thompson

After that Alfie’s family told only those closest to them for fear he would be “demonised” at school.

Chantelle gave birth to Maisie on Monday night after a five-hour labour at Eastbourne Hospital, East Sussex.

Last night she told The Sun: “I’m tired after the birth. I was nervous after going into labour but otherwise I was quite excited.”

Chantelle told how she discovered she was expecting after going to her GP with “really bad” stomach pains. She said: “Me and Alfie went. The doctor asked me whether we had sex. I said yes and he said I should do a pregnancy test. He did the test and said I was pregnant. I started crying and didn’t know what to do.

“He said I should tell my mum but I was too scared.

“We didn’t think we would need help from our parents. You don’t really think about that when you find out you are pregnant. You just think your parents will kill you.”

But Penny figured out what was going on after buying Chantelle a T-shirt which revealed her swelling tum.

Chantelle admitted she and Alfie — who are both being supported by their parents — would be accused of being grossly irresponsible. She said: “We know we made a mistake but I wouldn’t change it now. We will be good loving parents.

“I have started a church course and I am going to do work experience helping other young mums.

“I’ll be a great mum and Alfie will be a great dad.”

Lee Thompson

Chantelle and Maisie were released from hospital yesterday. They are living with Penny, Chantelle’s jobless dad Steve, 43, and her five brothers in a rented council house in Eastbourne. The family live on benefits. Alfie, who lives on an estate across town with mum Nicola, 43, spends most of his time at the Steadmans’ house.

He is allowed to stay overnight and even has a school uniform there so he can go straight to his classes in the morning.

Alfie’s dad, who is separated from Nicola, believes the lad is scared deep down.

He said: “Everyone is telling him things and it’s going round in his head. It hasn’t really dawned on him. He hasn’t got a clue of what the baby means and can’t explain how he feels. All he knows is mum and dad will help.

“When you mention money his eyes look away. And she is reliant on her mum and dad. It’s crazy. They have no idea what lies ahead.”

Dennis, who works for a vehicle recovery firm, described Alfie as “a typical 13-year-old boy”.

He said: “He loves computer games, boxing and Manchester United.” Dennis, who has fathered nine kids, told how he was “gobsmacked” when he discovered Alfie was to be a dad, too.

He said: “When I spoke to him he started crying. He said it was the first time he’d had sex, that he didn’t know what he was doing and of the complications that could come.

“I will talk to him again and it will be the birds and the bees talk. Some may say it’s too late but he needs to understand so there is not another baby.”

Lovely
Chantelle’s mum said: “I told her it was lovely to have the baby but I wish it was in different circumstances. We have five children already so it’s a big financial responsibility. But we are a family and will pull together and get through.

“She’s my daughter. I love her and she will want for nothing.”

Last night Michaela Aston, of the anti-abortion Christian charity LIFE, said: “We commend these teenagers for their courage in bringing their child into the world.

“At the same time this is symptomatic of the over-sexualisation of our youngsters and shows the policy of value-free sex education just isn’t working.”

Today Sussex Police and the local council's children services said they have investigated the case and pledged continued support for the young parents.

Britain’s youngest known father is Sean Stewart. He became a dad at 12 when the girl next door, 15-year-old Emma Webster, gave birth in Sharnbrook, Bedford, in 1998. They split six months later.

I started last week as an IC for a small to medium MTSO.  I decided to work as an IC because I wanted flexibility in my schedule.   However, they insist on a set 40-hour schedule and working holidays, just like an FTE.   They are not paying me any benefits, not paying my taxes including SS, and I have run out of work 2 days already.  

Now I'm told I have to work either T-giving or Christmas - this really grates on me.  I get paid nothing extra for the holidays.  

I didn't think it was legal for them treat ICs like FTEs.  Has the working universe changed this much, or am I a sap for putting up with it?   I would really like to hear from other ICs who have faced the same situation -  please let me know how you handled it.  I cannot afford to quit without another job, which I am looking for.   TIA

My father died last year and he was a DNR and had a Living Will stating *no heroic measures* - at that point they oinly do *comfort care*.......

Very sorry for your experience!!!!!  *gentle hug*

I appreciate all of you who responded to my original post 3 weeks ago.    Physically I'm doing well with the recuperation from the miscarriage and subsequent D&C and the doctor told us that we can try to conceive again in a couple of months, which we will do.   

Emotionally it's still tough but getting better each day.  I miss the baby very much.   I'm keeping up the journal that I began during the pregnancy and writing my thoughts to the baby in heaven when I feel like it and  it helps to know I'm communicating my thoughts to our baby.  I'm actually able to say the words "I had a miscarriage" this week without bursting immediately into tears.  My husband continues to be very supportive and we both shed tears together at times over our loss.    Our friends, family  and church family have been incredibly supportive and that helps tremendously and we've definitely felt their support through their prayers and expressed concern. 

For any of you who encounter a woman who has had a miscarriage in the future, the best thing you can do is be there for them and show genuine concern.     

---

To check the status of your sound card:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
   
2. Double-click System.
   
3. Click the Device Manager tab.
   
4. Click the PLUS SIGN (+) next to Sound, video and game controllers to expand the branch.
   
5. Under the Sound, video and game controllers branch, click your sound card, and then click Properties.
   
6. On the General tab, make sure that the Device Status message is "this device is working properly." 

If the Device Status message states that the device is not working properly, contact your sound card or computer manufacturer for further assistance.

It's is a driver problem, .........email for details.